Table signaling flashlight



y 2, 1953 G. B. EDWARDS, JR 2,638,583

TABLE SIGNALING FLASHLIGHT Filed Sept. 2, 1952 Fig. 2 4e Greene 8. Edwards, Jr: IN VEN TOR.

BY WW FML Patented May 12, 1953 UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE TABLE SIGNALING FLASHLIGHT Greene B. Edwards, Jn, Tuskegee, Ala. Application September 2, 1952, Serial No. 307,485

4 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in flashlights and has more particular reference to one which is specifically constructed for use on tables in restauranta'caies, bars, drug stores, night clubs and the like, whereby to enable the user to conveniently and aptly attract the attention of a waiter or waitress as the case may be. I

the introductory statement of the invention implies, so-called service lights and table signaling lamps are not broadly new. As a matter of fact, the art to which the invention relates reveals a number of different styles and forms of waiter calling signal lights. For example, one such device is shown in a patent to Clyde M. Moore of August 28', 1951, issued under No. 2,565,980.

It is the significantobject of the instant invention to structurally, functionally and otherwise improve upon similarly constructed and performing patron signaling table-type'lights and in doing so to provide a construction, in which manufacturers and users will find their essential needs and requirements satisfactorily met.

More specifically, the invention has to do with a self-standing base which is nicely and ornamentally shaped and which will stay put when placed on the table surface and which includes an integral casing terminating at its upper end in a semi-transparent lens the tip of which is of clear plastics so that a beam of light flashes against the ceiling when the switch is on This accomplishes one objective in that it renders the signal effective even though the main colored and semi-transparent portions of the lens may be obstructed by some person or object standing between the table to be serviced and the waiter.

Another object of the invention has to do with the manner in which the base is recessed to conveniently accommodate the press button switch and is also fashioned in its underside to accommodate the wires and attachable and detachable cover.

Other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a table signaling flashlight constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in section and elevation, the section being taken on the vertical line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 All of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view on the vertical line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, the plastic unit, which is of appropriate commercial plastics, is denoted in a unitary sense by the numeral 6. It comprises a suitably ornamented well-balanced base 8 which is of sufllcient heaviness to rest firmly on the table or other supporting surface. This is formed with a central bore l0 whose lower end forms an annular collar l2. The underneath or bottom portion is recessed as at M and the recess is surrounded by what may be called a skirt 16. The collar depends into this recessed portion where it accommodates a readily attachable and detachable plastic or equivalent closing cap 18. The rim 2%? of the cap may be screwed in place although it is here shown as provided with a retaining pin 22 to releasably engage a bayonet slot 24 in the collar l2. Aligned with the bore and extending above the same is the perpendicular battery casing or cylinder 26.

r This serves to accommodate the dry-cells or batteries 28 and all which are in contact and which are held in proper relationship through the aid of the coil spring 32. This is interposed between the cap l8 and the lower battery and it termihates in an eye 34 which is secured to a ground screw or similar headed fastener 36 as best shown in Figure 2. It will be seen that the upper end portion is reduced in cross-section or diameter as at 38 to form an endless shoulder and this provides an abutment for the reflector 40. The reflector is provided with a neck 42 carrying the screw-threaded portion of the flashlight bulb 44 in contact to the adjacent contact element of the battery 30. The upper end of the cylinder is further fashioned into a bullet-shaped lens 46 which may be semi-transparent and of any suitable shade or color. The extreme nose or upper end is of clear plastics, as at 4B, and this permits the flashing of a beam of light against the ceiling directly above the table on which the signaling device is placed for use. It means that the lens is sure to be seen even if substantially blocked by intervening objects or other persons, that is, between the waiter and the table on which the signaling device has been arranged. The base is also recessed to form a sort of a side well 50 for convenience of accommodation of the fingers of the user. The base 52 of the well provides a satisfactory mount for the switch. The switch comprises a, casing 54 with terminals 56 and 58, a push button 60 and an assembling and retaining collar-nut 62. There is a wire connection 64 between the terminal 58 and the ground screw 36. There is a conductor strip 66 provided and one end is electrically connected with the remaining wire 68. The opposite end is in electrical contact with the metal reflector 40. In other words, this is an ordinary flashlight arrangement wherein the casing and lens are formed into an integral unit with a novel shoulder 38 between the cylindrical casing and lens and with lower portion of the casing fashioned into a base having a recessed bottom providing a shoulder [2 to accommodate the attachable and detachable closing cap [8 and to provide an apron l6 and a space I4 functioning in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

It is believed that the structural means herein revealed exhibits certain refinements and improvements which are not present in similarly constructed prior art waiter signaling lights and lamps.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawings. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size and arrangement,

of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a table signaling flashlight for use in restaurants and the like, a unit constructed of commercial plastics, said unit embodying an enlarged flat-bottomed base, a vertical cylindrical casing attached to and rising above said base, and an integral lens at the upper end of the casing, said lens being bullet-shaped in form and of a cross-section less than the cross-section of the casing and providing an abutment shoulder, said base having a central passage in axial alignment with the casing and opening through the bottom of the base, a reflector mounted in said casing and in abutting relation with said shoul- '4 der, a bulb mounted in said reflector, and batteries mounted in said passage and casing.

2. The structure specified in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said base is recessed and provided with a depending annular collar, and a cover removably attached to said collar.

3. The structure specified in claim 1, wherein the bottom of said base is recessed and provided with a depending annular collar, a cover removably attached to said collar, said base being provided in one side with a recess forming a bottom, and a push button switch mounted on said bottom and in said recess and having circuit connection with the batteries.

4. In a table signaling flashlight for use in restaurants and the like, a unit embodying a relatively large base having a bottom, said bottom being recessed and provided with a depending annular collar, a cover removably attached to said collar within the confines of said recess, said base being provided on one peripheral side with an available recess defining the horizontal accessible bottom, a push button switch mounted on said bottom within the confines of the lastnamed recess, a vertical cylindrical casing attached to and rising above said base, a lens at the upper end of the casing, said lens having a portion of a cross-section less than the crosssection of the casing and providing an abutment shoulder at the juncture of the lens and upper end of the casing, said base having an axial passage in alignment with the axis of the casing and registering with the aforementioned depending annular collar, a reflector mounted in said casing and in abutting relation with said shoulder, a bulb mounted in said reflector, and batteries mounted in the passage and casing.

GREENE B. EDWARDS, J R.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,149,933 Martzolf Aug. 10, 1919 2,090,293 Haines Aug. 17, 1937 2,387,753 Frank 61; a1 Oct. 30, 1945 

